A doctor suspected of prescribing thousands of painkillers to a man who murdered four people in a Long Island pharmacy pleaded not guilty on Monday in the sale of prescriptions to a Queens man who died of an overdose. The doctor, Stan XuHui Li, 57, worked as an anesthesiologist in New Jersey during the week and ran a medical clinic in Flushing, Queens, on weekends. Read More: Wall Street Journal

Soldiers reunited with four-legged friends

Trading in sand for grass, they now have a stamp in their passports and a new home in America. Rio, Beethoven, Gus, Liberty and Charlie were among the 14 stray dogs from Afghanistan anxiously waiting, with wagging tails, to be reunited with their now official owners — U.S. soldiers who befriended and “adopted” the pooches while serving halfway around the world. Read More: Queens Courier

Parent Complains of Bias in Sixth-Grade Lesson

It was supposed to be a special learning opportunity for the sixth graders at Public School 101 School in the Gardens in Forest Hills, Queens. A popular second-grade teacher was invited to their social studies class to give a lecture about Israel, as part of a unit on the Middle East. But at home that evening, Elli Surico, 10, started talking about how great Israel is and asking why the Arabs wanted to kill the Jews, alarming her mother, Dana Milstein. Read More: New York Times

St. John’s Hosts Wagner In Battle Of The Boroughs – The Queens/Staten Island Edition

St. John’s will host Wagner on Tuesday as part of the first women’s and men’s basketball doubleheader of the season. The Red Storm and Seahawks will tip off at 6 p.m., airing live ESPN3. The men’s team will play St. Francis in the second inter-borough match up for the night at 9 p.m. Read More: Red Storm Sports

At Queens Metropolitan High School in Forest Hills, there is no science teacher, students sit in the auditorium instead of taking electives and classes are taught by rotating substitutes. Students said they are handed new schedules, with different teachers and courses, almost once a week. Read More: NY1

Crime wave in Astoria sparks call for new civilian patrols and block watchers

A recent spate of gropings, car break-ins and purse snatchings is sparking calls for expanded civilian patrols and block watchers in Astoria. Vallone, along with state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria), rallied with local residents last week and unveiled a anti-crime plan that includes both legislation and civic activism. Read More: Daily News